GRBA National Championships: Breakout Performers

This weekend wrapped up the grassroots season and the July Live Period. Meaning, the GRBA’s this weekend in Fort Wayne were a lot of things, depending on how you performed: emotional, triumphant, disappointing, encouraging, and much more. Tonight, we’re keeping it all the way positive by highlighting the players who were Breakout Performers. Six 2018 prospects were good enough to possibly receive scholarships after this weekend, while three underclassmen built momentum going into school ball.

Tre Williams (2018), 6’6”-6’7” F, All Ohio Black/Reynoldsburg

This felt like a crucial weekend for Williams. Everyone is aware of his physical tools and he’s shown flashes with two other teams this grassroots season; but in Fort Wayne, he was finally a featured member of his team’s offensive attack. Williams took advantage of the increased responsibility by being aggressive as an interior scorer. At times, Williams glides through powerful post moves but doesn’t quite finish with a bucket — just hardly rimming out instead. Yet, he gets to spots with ease, as defenders just fly backwards when he comes into their chest. He also looked like a low-major/D-II prospect on the boards this weekend.

Reiko Bagley (2018), 6’6” G/W, Elite Basketball Club/Whitehall Yearling

Early on Friday morning, Bagley proved himself as a three level scorer. While we’ve come accustomed to his 3-point pull-ups, we haven’t quite seen him compliment the threat in the way he did here. As defenders closed out on Bagley with their hands up, he was pump-faking and taking one dribble into high finger-rolls. The transfer from Illinois continues to play with an edge on the defensive side, which allows him to switch onto forwards. Division II programs that recruit Ohio should begin the recruiting process with this kid immediately.

Kameron Gibson (2018), 6’4” PG, Club Ohio (Pierce)/Walnut Hills

Gibson may have established himself as the top point guard prospect in Cincinnati this summer. He currently holds offers from Maryland Eastern Shore and Ashland. But, his well-rounded game warrants some more programs to enter the picture, despite him being a D-I/D-II tweener. First of all, he has elite size at the point guard positon. He uses the length to contest jumpers on defense. Offensively, Gibson uses his body extremely well in dealing with ball pressure in end of the game situations — when he gets a half-step on the opposing point guard, Gibson turns his hips and is able to get into the frontcourt with ease. Gibson’s combination of athleticism, scoring ability, and IQ, allow him to play at any pace. Even against sound one-on-one defense in the half-court, Gibson was swishing home pull-up jumpers. The kid changes direction on a dime, while other players are still recovering from his shift.

Omari Peek (2018), 6’6” G/W, Club Ohio (Pierce)/Strongsville

In every Club Ohio game we watched closely this weekend, Peek was scoring the ball at will. In a measuring stick contest against Garrett Tipton and VCC-NOVA on Saturday, Peek appeared to be the top wing prospect out there. Despite his low-release, Peek produces clean looks off the dribble any time he wants it. He stays low to the ground when handling the rock, which helps with ball-security at his height. More than anything, Peek scored efficiently this weekend, even though he’s a high volume shooter. Not only were his jumpers falling, his finishes in traffic were tremendous, including a poster dunk to cap off their win over VCC-NOVA on Saturday.

CJ Penha (2018), 6’6” hybrid, Hidden Gems Orange/Harvest Prep

In his final AAU game, Penha left his mark. Despite the eventual loss, he did everything in his power to propel Hidden Gems Orange to a victory on Saturday morning. Penha’s length makes for a crafty mid-range game, consisting of step-throughs and step-backs with an indefensibly high release. He was effective with his back to the basket and with face-ups near the elbow. Also, Penha hit a couple late threes in transition to cut the deficit late in the game. Basically, the skill is there. As far as intangibles, few guys in Fort Wayne competed harder than Penha — he drew a charge, was the team’s primary rebounder on effort alone, and was roaring like a war general late in the contest.

Mario Caywood (2018), 6’6” F/C, TNBA East/Cleveland Benedictine

TNBA East’s 17U Platinum Championship is a credit to their ego-less style of team basketball; all of their players were paramount to their success. But, they really couldn’t have competed with the prospects at the GRBA without the presence of Caywood near the basket. He clogged up the lane when their defense broke-down. Caywood rebounded with anyone, not because of his verticality, but he clears out space on box-outs like a grown man. With the ball, Caywood makes it happen with jump stops and pump fakes. Naturally, he gets to the free throw line, where he has a soft touch and converts at a high percentage.

Kayin Derden (2019), 6’2” G, Pro Bound/Columbus DeSales

This Pro Bound team was ranked as the #2 team in our 2019 Grassroots Team Rankings because of their strong spring. But they lost a ton of talent, and didn’t have the most successful month. Derden provided consistency throughout the grassroots season however. The team can always count on him to convert catch-and-shoot threes, be engaged away from the ball on both ends, and find cracks on the defense for driving opportunities. His efforts paid off against TNBA West Vega on Friday afternoon, as he put down five 3-pointers in the first half alone.

Ethan Heller (2019), 6’ PG, OH-NOVA (Bennett)/Sheridan

We didn’t realize how premier of an athlete Heller was until watching him multiple times in a short span during bracket play in the Gold Division. While Heller stands at (maybe) 6’0”, he punishes undersized matchups with his strength and leaping ability. When penetrating, Heller tends to make one crossover and go, which gets the defense off-balanced. Before entering the trees, Heller can drop in a one-foot floater by stopping on a dime. Heller is also a plus-rebounder at the point guard spot, as he has a nose for the ball. And, oh yeah, his best ability is catch-and-shoot threes, where he’s already hitting consistently from NCAA range.

Trevell Adams (2020), 5’9” PG, ISG-Hidden Gems/Columbus South

Adams came out of nowhere this weekend to jump into the Prep Hoops Ohio radar. We entered into Turnstone at halftime of their tournament game against VCC-NOVA (Alleyne), where Adams was getting the rim whenever he pleased. He finished that game with a coast-to-coast layup as time expired to give ISG-Hidden Gems a two-point victory. But it didn’t stop there. Adams came into Sunday morning’s 15U Platinum semis, against a much taller The Family (MI), and was getting to the cup there too. His athleticism and shiftiness was a problem for whoever was guarding him. Once he inevitably makes his way past the first defender, Adams can hit floaters or climb the ladder for right-handed finishes. Adams will have to diversify his offensive arsenal over the next three seasons at South, but his athleticism will take him to any spot on the court. Kid has a lot of upside.